The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1887-02-24

q matter of course, and the most natural
thing going"
"Wen, suppose 1 did Are you prepared
for the worstm
Falkner was silent for a moment and then
replied, ayes; anything would be better than
this suspense"
II don't agree with you. Then you would
be willing to have them forgive us9"
II don't understand you"
"I mean that their forgiveness would be the
worst thing that could happen. Look here,
Ned. Stop moment; listen at that door.
Mrs. Hale has the tread of an angel with the
pervading capacity of a cat Now, listenl
don't pretend to be in love with anybody
here, but if I were should hardly take ad-
vantage of a womans helplessness and soli-
tude with sensational story about myself.
It's not giving her fair show You know
she won't turn you out of the house."
"No," said Fal!ner, reddening; "but 1
should expect to go at once. and that would
be my only excuse for telling her."
"Gol wheres In your preoccupation with
that girl you haven't even found the trail by
which Manuel escaped Do you intend to
camp outside the house and make eyes at her
when she comes to the Windows"
because you think nothing of flirting
with Mrs. Hale" said Falkner bitterly, "you
care little'-
"My dear Ned" said Lee "the fact that
Mrs. Hale has husband and knows that she
can't marry me puts US on equal terms.
Nothing that she could learn about me here
after would make Irritation with me any
less wrong than it would be now, or make
her seem more a victim. Can you say the
same of yourself and that Puritan girls"
"But you did not advise me to keep aloof
from her; on the contrary, YOU
II thought you might make the best of the
situation and pay her some attention, because
you could not go any further"
"You thought was utterly heartless and
selfish, ike"-
"Nedin
Falkner walked rapidly to the fireplace and
returned.
@Forgive me, George-Im fool-and an
ungrateful one"
Lee did not reply at once, although he took
and retained the hand Falkner had impul-
slowly, after pause, "that you will say moth
ing yet to either of these women. I ask it for
your own sake and this girls, not for mine.
If, on the contrary, you are tempted to do SO
from any Quixotic idea of honor, remember
that you will only precipitate something that
will oblige you, from that same sense OF
honor, to separate from the girl forever"
II don't understand"
"Enoughl" said he, with a quick return of
his old reckless gayety. "Shoot-off- -his-mouth,
the beardless boy chief of the Sierras, has
spokeni Let the pale face with the black
mustache ponder and beware how he talks
hereafter to the Ripping Cochituate Waterl
COP
Nevertheless, as soon as the door had closed
upon Falkner, Lees smile vanished. With
his colorless face turned to the fading light at
the window, the hollows in his temples and
the lines in the corners of his eyes seemed to
have grown more profound. He remained
motionless and absorbed in thought SO deep
that the light rustic of a skirt, that would at
other times have thrilled his sensitive ear,
passed unheeded. AT last, throwing off his
q man who believes himself alone, he was
startled by the soft laugh of Mrs Hale, who
had entered the room unperceived.
"Dear mel How portentous Really,
almost feel as if were interrupting tete-a-
tete between yourself and some old flame.
haven't heard anything SO old-fashioned and
conservative as that sigh since have been in
C,1; T Iad oru
Past out here?"
Fortunately his face was between her and
the light, and the unmistakable expression of
annoyance and impatience which passed over
it was spared her. There was, however. still
enough dissonance in his manner to affect
her quick feminine sense, and when she drew
nearer to him it was with a certain maiden
like timidity.
"You are not worse, Mr.. Lee, 1 hope?
You have not over exerted yourselfs'
There's little chance of that with one leg
If not in the grave at least mummified
with bandages," he replied, with bitterness
new to him.
"Shall 1 loosen them? Perhaps they are
TOO tight. There is nothing so irritating to
The light touch of her hand upon the rug
that covered his kness, the thoughtful ten
derness of the blue veined lids, and the deli
cate atmosphere that seemed to surround her
like a perfume cleared his face of its shadow
and brought back the reckless fire into his
blue eyes.
II suppose I'm intolerant of all bonds, he
said, looking at her intently, Gin others as
well as myselfl'
Whether or not she detected any double
meaning in his words she was obliged to ac-
cept the challenge of his direct gaze and,
raising her eyes to his, drew back little
from him with a slight increase of color.
II was afraid you had heard bad news just
now"
"What would you call bad newsW asked
Lee clasping his hands behind his head and
leaning back ON the sofa, but without with
drawing his eyes from her face.
"Oh, any news that would interrupt your
convalescence or break up our little family
party" said Mrs. Hale. "You have been
getting on so well that really it would seem
cruel to have anything interfere with our
l1Ie OIL forgetting itilll DeIuS lOTSOCteH ouI
she added with apprehensive quickness, "has
anything happened? Is there really any
news from-from the trailsl Yesterday Mr..
Falkner said the snow had recommended in
the pass. Has he seen anything, noticed any
thing different"
She looked SO very pretty, with the rare,
genuine and youthful excitement that trans
figured her wearied and wearying regularity
of feature, that Lee contented himself with
drinking in her prettiness as he would have
inhaled the perfume of some flower.
"Why do you losk at me SO, Mr.. Lees" she
asked, with slight smile. 81 believe some
thing has happened. Mr.. Falkner has
brought you some intelligence"
"He has certainly found out something
did not foresee."
Sand that troubles youi"
SIT doesn %.fsg
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